Grape-scissors.



A. L. DAWSON.

GRAPE SGISSORS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 18, 1911.

1,108, 1 12.. Patented Aug. 18, 1914 E mum W07 wi/tmeooeo AniEMAs Loni) Dawson, or wnsrr'rnrn, NEW YORK:

eimrn-sors'sons.

specification of Letters iatent.

Patented Aiig; 1 8', 1914.

Application filed May 18, 1911. Serial No. 628,104.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Anrniras LORD DAW- soN, a citizen of the United at Westfield, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Grape-Scissors, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in grape scissors. I

The Object of the present invention'is to improve the construction of grape scissors,

and to provide simple and comparatively inexpensive grape scissors equipped with a tension spring for automatically separating the blades and provided also with a locking device adapted to hold the scissors closed, and constructed also to provide a stop for limiting the closing movements of the blades and adjustable as the blades become worn to permit them to close completely.

lVith these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, Within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing :-F igure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of grape scissors, constructed 35 'is a similar view partly in section, the scisin accordance with this invention. Fig. 2

sors being open. Fig. 3 1s a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line H of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a pair of grape scissors, illustrating another form of the invention. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view, illustrating the construction of the pivot.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawin In Fig. 6 of the drawing is illustrated the simplest form of the invention, the right hand and left hand handles 01' members 1 and 2 of the grape scissors being provided with outwardly bowed portions 3 and 4, adjacent to their blades 5 and 6 and having opposite arms 7 and 8, located at the space States, residing 16 and 17 with curved arms 18 an I between the bowed portions 3 and 4 and each extending from one of the handles or mem bers to a point at the opposite side of the median line of the scissors. The arms 7 and 8 are preferably curved, as shown, and their terminals are connected by a coiled tension spring 9.. The terminals of the arms 7 and 8 have bifurcations 10 to receive the hooked ends 11 of the coiled spring 9, and the said hoeked terminals 11 en age pins 12, monnted in perforations of t e ends of the arms and extending across the bifurcations 10 thereof. The spring normally maintains the blades somewhat separated, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing", the sep aration of the blades being suflicient to permit the scissors to be readily used for clipping or cutting the stems of gra 'e's, fruit or the like; One or both ends of t e spring 9 may be readily disconnected to permit the scissbrsto be fully opened for the purpose of cleaning or sharpening the same.

In the ordinary scissors, shears and similar cutting implements, the blade of the right hand handle is located above the blade of the left handle, when the scissors or shears are in a herizontal position, and when the handles are not provided with the thumb and finger loops of the ordinary scissors, the tendency of the hand in gripping and operating the'scissors is to produce a lateral separation of the blades, efiicien'cy of the same, especially if the pivot should be loose. In order to counteract this tendency of the blades to separate laterally under the pressure of the hand and to cause such pressure to force the blades laterally toward each other, the blade 5 of the right hand handle or member 1 is arranged beneath the blade of the left hand handleor member 2. When the handles 1 and 2 are gripped in the operation of the scissors, the pressure exerted on them tends to force or press the'blad'e's laterally toward each other and maintains the cutting edges of the blades in contact even should the pivot 13 becoine loose.

In Figs. 1 to -5 inclusive of the drawing is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the right and left handles or members 14 and 15 being equipped adjacent to their outwardly bowed or curved ortions 19, extending to points at opposite sides of the median line of the scissors and connected by 'a' coiled tension spring 20, having hookwhich reduces the v shaped terminals 21, secured in perforations 22 of the curved arms 18 and 19 by pins 23, but any other suitable means may be employed for connecting the terminals of the spring 20 with the arms.

In order to permit the blades 24 and 25 to be fully opened for the purpose of cleaning gum or other accumulation from the blades or for sharpening the same, the arm 19 is connected at its outer end 26 by a pivot 27 with the left hand handle or member 15, and the latter is provided at its inner side adjacent to its bowed or outwardly curved portion 17 with a recess 28 to receive the pivoted outer end of the arm 19. When the handles are swung outward beyond the cutting range, the arm 19 operates as a link and is adapted to swing outwardly, and the spring swings around on the pin 23, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, whereby the spring is relieved of tension and the blades permitted to open so that they may be easily cleaned or sharpened. In this form of the invention, the spring acts only during the movement of the blades within the cutting range, and it cannot become lost or separated as it remains permanently connected. with the arms 18 and 19.

The handles or members of the scissors are connected by a pivot 29, provided at one end with a head and having screw threads 30 at the other end for engaging a threaded opening of the handle or member 14. The screw or pivot, which is split at its threaded end at 31, is provided with a central longitudinal bore or opening 32, tapering from the split end to the head and receiving a tapered pin 33, forming a wedge and adapted when driven into the tapered bore to expand the split portions of the pivot, whereby the pivot is securely retained in place and is prevented from accidentally unscrewing. The tapered pin may be readily driven out of the bore when it is desired to move or adjust the screw.

The blade 24 of the right hand handle is provided integral with the latter and is arranged beneath the blade 25 of the left hand handle. The blades 24 and 25 are tapered longitudinally and are approximately triangular in cross section, and the blade 25 has a reduced inner portion or shank 34, which overlaps and fits in a recess 35 of an extension 36 of the handle or member 15. The pivot 29 pierces the extension, the shank of the blade 25 and the blade 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 40f the drawing. The shoulder 37 formed by the reduction of the inner portion of the blade 25 is slightly spaced from the outer end of the extension 36 when the blade 25 is in alinement with the extension, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. This permits the blade 25 to have a slight oscillatory movement on thepivot 29 independent of the extension, and at the same time in the opening movement of the scissors the outer end of the extension will carry the blade 25 outward. The extension 36 is equipped at its outer side with an integral longitudinal finger 38, extending along the outer side of the blade 25 and provided with a transversely disposed tapered or wedge-shaped lug or projection 39, presenting an angularly disposed face 40 to the inclined or angularly disposed face of the blade, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. When the blades are closed, the inclined or angularly disposed face 40 of the lug 39 engages the pivoted blade and forces the latter inwardly to cause the cutting edges of the blades to contact, whereby looseness of the blades is prevented and a positive cutting action is obtained. No claim is made in the present application to the means for causing the blades to contactat their cutting edges. 1

The closing movement of the blades is limited by a stop consisting of a screw 41, mounted in a longitudinal bore 42 of a transverse arm 43 of a bell crank lever 44, which has a longitudinal arm 45, arranged at the inner side of the handle or member 14. The bell crank lever is pivoted at its angle between spaced ears 46 of the handle 14, and its terminal 47 is bent at an angle and ar ranged to abut against the inner side of the said handle 14. The screw 41 and the transverse arm 43 extend from the handle 14 toward the handle 15, and are adapted to limit the inward movement of the handles and the closing movement of the blades. As the blades become worn through grinding and sharpening, the stop may be adjusted through the screw so that the blades will close properly. The head of the screw is also adaptedto engage a catch 48, formed integral with the handle 15 and extending from the inner face thereof and provided with a shoulder spaced from the inner side of the handle 15 to form a recess to receive the head, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The catch is beveled beyond the shoulder, and the head of the adjustable screw is held in engagement with the catch by means of a nut 49, mounted on a screw 50 piercing the handle 14 and extending through a slot 51 of the longitudinal arm 45. A coiled spring 52 is disposed on the screw 50 and is interposed between the handle 14 and the longitudinal arm and is compressed when the said longitudinal arm is at the limit of its inward movement with reference to the handle 14 and in abutting relation with the same. The spring is adapted to expand and throw the bell crank outward with respect to the handle 14, when the nut 49 is loosened, and it carries the head of the adjustable stop screw out of engagement with the catch and permits the scissors to open.

- handles Although the improvements are shown applied to grape scissors, they are equally applicable to all kinds of simi'larcutting implements. v

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A pair of scissors including pivoted provided with blades and having opposite arms, the arm of each handle being extended tothe opposite side of the median line of the scissors,- atension spring connected with the arms and pull onthe same to open the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed.

2. A pair of scissors including pivoted handles provided with blades and having opposite arms, the arm of each handle being extended to the opposite sideof the median line of the scissors, interposedbetween and connected with the terminals of the arms and arranged toexert a pull on the same to open thelscissors, and means for holding the scissors closed.

3. A- pair of scissors including pivoted" and' havinghandles provided with blades outwardly curvedor bowed portions arranged adjacent to the inner ends of the blades, said handles being also provided at the said curved portions with curved arms, the arm of each handle being. extended to the opposite side of the median line ofthe scissors, and the terminals of the arms being located at approximately diametrically opposite points, a coiled tension spring interposed between and connected to the terminals of the said arms and arranged to exert a pull on the same to open the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed.

4. A pair of scissors including pivoted handles having blades provided with arms extending to points at opposite sides of the median line of the scissors, one of the arms being pivotally mounted on its handle, a spring interposed between the arms and connected with the same, the pivotal movement of the spring permitting a free opening of the blades and relieving the spring of tension when the blades are opened beyond their cutting range, and means for holding the scissors closet.

5. A pair of scissors including pivoted handles provided with blades and having outwardly extending portions adjacent to the blades to form an opening or space, an arm arranged at the top of the space and rigid with one of the handles and extending from the same to the opposite side of the median line of the scissors, a pivoted arm mounted on the other handle and located below the said arm and having its terminal portion arranged at the opposite side of the median line from the terminal of the rigid arm, a tension spring connecting the terminals of the arms and arranged to exert a adapted to exert a a coiled tension spring.

pull on the same to open the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed.

6; A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, a spring for opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed including a stop interposed between the handles and adapted to limit the closing movement of the blades and adjustableas the blades become worn to permit the same to close completely, said stop being pivotally mounted on one handle and arranged to swing into and out of engagement with the other handle. 1

7. A- pair of scissors handles having blades, a spring for opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissorsclosed including a stop composed of a transverse arm pivoted to and extending from one of the handles, and an adjustable stop' screw mounted on and carried by the arm and arranged to be engaged by the other handle and adapted to swing into and out of engagement with the latter.

8; A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, a spring for opening the scissors, and meansfor holding the scissors closed including a stop mounted on one of the handles and arranged in the path of the other handle and adapted to contact with the same tolimit the closing'movement of the blades, and a fixed catch mounted on the handle, which contacts with the stop and adapted to engage the latter for locking the handles and the blades in their closed position, said stop being movable into and out of engagement with the catch.

9. A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, means for automatically opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed including a catch carried by one of the handles, a pivoted stop mounted on the other handle and arranged to contact with the first-mentioned handle to limit the closing movement of the blades, said stop being also movable into and out of engagement with the catch, and a spring for normally holding the stop out of engagement with the catch.

10. A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, means for automatically opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed including a catch carried by one of the handles, a pivoted stop mounted on the other handle and arranged to contact with the first-mentioned handle to limit the closing movement of the blades, said stop being also movable into and out of engagement with the catch, a spring for normally holding the stop out of engagement with the catch, and means for moving the stop into engagement with the catch and for maintaining the said stop in such engagement.

11. A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, means for automaticomprising pivoted cally opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed including a catch carried by one of the handles, a bell crank pivotally mounted on the other handle and having one of its arms arranged transversely of the scissors and provided with means for limiting the closing movement of the handles and for engaging the catch, the other arm being extended longitudinally of the handle on which the bell crank is mounted, a screw mounted on such handle and extending through the longitudinal arm, and a nut mounted on the screw and arranged to en gage the longitudinal arm for holding the bell crank in engagement with the catch.

12. A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, means for automatically opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed including a catch carried by one of the handles, a bell crank pivotally mounted on the other handle and having one of its arms arranged transversely of the scissors and provided with means for limiting the closing movement of the handles and for engaging the catch, the other arm being extended longitudinally of the handle on which the bell crank is mounted, a screw mounted on such handle and extending through the longitudinal arm, a nut mounted on the screw and arranged to engage the longitudinal arm for holding the bell crank in engagement with the catch, and a spring disposed on the screw and bearing against the longitudinal arm for moving the bell crank out of engagement with the catch when the nut is loosened.

13. A pair of scissors comprising pivoted handles having blades, means for automatically opening the scissors, and means for holding the scissors closed including a catch carried by one of the handles, a bell crank pivoted to the other handle andhaving one arm disposed longitudinally thereof and provided with a terminal portion for engaging such handle, the other arm of said bell crank being disposed transversely of the handles and provided with means for engaging the catch and the handle carrying the same, a spring interposed between the longitudinal arm and the adjacent handle for moving the bell crank away from the catch, and means for maintaining the bell crankin engagement with the catch against the action of the spring.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ARTEMAS LORD DAWSON.

Witnesses:

J OHN H. SIGGERs, SALLIE BOLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, I). C. 

